There are moments, events that stick with you. Moments that you will never forget, that you can remember as if they had just happened. I remember holding my son for the first time. I remember giving my daughter her first bath. I remember giving my wife our first kiss. I know I talk about how … More That Perfect Moment
If you go to author Neil Stephenson’s (author of books like Cryptonomicon and Anathem) website, you will get a message that goes something like this: Dear Reader, if you appreciate my books, then I encourage you to leave me alone and let me focus on my work. Thank you. N. Stephenson. Writing is a solitary … More Private Parts
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. —Reinholt Niebuhr I got into an argument with my daughter the other day. You see, we live just outside the city limits, and because we live in … More What Is, Is
It’s been all of five days since I introduced my new book Chosen to the world. It’s been a long time coming, just a dream for most of that time, and now it is reality. I’m eager for you and the rest of the world to read this book, because I think it’s one of … More Letting Go
Introducing…<ahem> for your reading pleasure…the book you’ve all been waiting for….CHOSEN. Seriously, tomorrow is the unveiling day, and many have decided to take me up on the offer of a free ebook copy simply by signing up for the monthly newsletter. It’s a great day, and it helps me two ways. It gives me permission … More Brand Spanking New
The Project, as they say, is in the can. All the editing is done, design work completed, promotion in place. Final judgment will be in the hands of readers, and more importantly, reviewers. So what does an author do when he or she finds that the project is over? Some writers say that the next … More Life Between Projects
Last night I watched my favorite team play football. Sort of. The Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs were featured on Thursday Night Football on the NFL Network. Normally I would be watching it on TV, but since we just downsized our cable and now can’t get the NFL Network, I had to resort … More Back From the Dead
I think that it’s in the nature of writers to be insecure. Before we even put words on paper, we worry if it’s the right idea to pursue. During the writing process, we argue back and forth in our heads as to whether we’re wasting our time on this project. And then we wait on … More Right or Wrong, At Least Be Consistent
No, the reference above is not directed at you personally. It is actually attributed to the United States Navy around 1960 and is a design principle. But for our purposes, the story goes like this: Every once in a while, I have a student who either has been writing for quite a while–or just starting. … More Keep It Simple, Stupid
“Two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time.” –Pauli Exclusion Principle In this day and age, I can’t think of a single person I know who doesn’t have many things to juggle during their day. We are surrounded by tasks and people that make a variety of demands on us. That … More My Secret to Multitasking
